NEWSLETTER

Happy Holidays, Merry Christmas, Happy Ramadhan, Happy Hannukah, Happy Winter Solstice, Happy Diwali - Enjoy this Festive Season!


KWANZAA GREETINGS!


Kwanzaa is not a religious holiday, but a traditional African/African-American/Black people’s cultural celebration like our people’s traditions of Juneteenth (Black Freedom/Nation Day, Black History Month, African Liberation Day, M.L. King Day, First Night (the celebration of our first day of freedom in 1868 – Emancipation Proclamation), Malcolm X’s Birthday, Rosa Parks Day (Dec 1st) and others.  Many of our people don’t know, have forgotten or no longer celebrate, teach or pass down these traditions and celebrations. We invite you to learn more and join us this Kwanzaa 2023 as we Reflect, Revitalize and Engage!


We celebrate Kwanzaa meaning “First Fruits of the Harvest”. Since 1966, our people’s Kwanzaa Celebration has and continues to be a wonderful traditional time for us all to participate in this seven-day cultural event. Thanks to Dr. Maulana Karenga’s studies and re-introduction to our people of our traditional end-of-the-year harvest ceremonies and festivals, millions of us of African descent in Africa, the Caribbean, South America, the U.S., and around the world celebrate and hold Kwanzaa events from December 26th through January 1st. We are encouraged to remember, uphold, and practice year-round the traditional values known as the Seven Principles of Nguzo Saba (Unity, Self Determination, Collective Work and Responsibility, Collective and Cooperative Economics, Purpose, Creativity, and Faith).  We celebrate our African origins, culture, and history. We celebrate together with our family, community, people’s organizations, and institutions because our community’s collective hard work throughout the past year bears productive results or fruits! Also, we reflect on our heritage, history, and traditions of struggle for a better community, society, and world.


We encourage all to think about how we can use the Seven Principles of Kwanzaa every day and all year to address our current conditions, challenges and engage others in planning for a better future and world.


INSPIRE, EDUCATE and ENGAGE!


The Fruit of Labor World Cultural Center

All Volunteer Team

BUY/ORDER HOLIDAY GIFTS AT THE FRUIT OF LABOR WORLD CULTURAL CENTER!


Recent Bestsellers, Award-Winning Books, and More


Call us or email to set up an appointment to visit the center visit.

(919) 876-7187 and/or (919) 231-2660 leave a name, number, and message.

Flames of Wrath by J. L. Campbell

In less than twenty-four hours—before Alexia Leighton is scheduled to return to Miami from spring break in Jamaica—a group of friends betrays her in a grisly assault. The seventeen-year-old prays for the mercy of death, but she survives. While on the road to recovery, Alexia's attackers become victims of mysterious acts of violence, leaving authorities confounded and racing against time to prevent another deadly incident.

Folktales’ Black Women’s Literary Society from Austin Texas generously shares their reading list with us each year.

DECEMBER 2023 CALENDAR OF EVENTS

Saturday, December 2; 10:00 AM; Biltmore Hills Neighborhood Association meeting at Biltmore Hills Community Center, 2615 Fitzgerald Dr., Raleigh NC.

Call us for details at (919) 876-7187.


Saturday, December 9; 10:00 AM-2:00 PM National Conference of Black Lawyers (NCBL) NC Chapter Retreat at FOLWCC. Contact Greg Moss at (704) 773-7388 for more information and to register.


Saturday, December 9; 2:00-3:30 PM; BWFJ Wake-Durham-Triangle Chapter Meeting. RSVP your attendance to (919) 876-7187.


Monday, December 11; 4:00-7:00 PM; Workers Celebration of Organizing 2023; at FOLWCC. A potluck dinner with Raleigh City Workers Union UE150, IBEW Rank & File Members, Restaurant Workers, and Raleigh-Wake Workers Assembly; RSVP your attendance to (919) 876-7187.


Saturday, December 16; 10:00 AM; Know Your Rights Workshop at FOLWCC; How To Protect Your Rights When Interacting With Law Enforcement Or Private Security. RSVP your registration and attendance to Angaza Mayo-Laughinghouse at (919) 876-7187 or email fruitoflaborwcc@netscape.com.


Saturday, December 30; 2:00-6:00 PM; FOLWCC 2023 Community Kwanzaa Celebration: featuring music, dance, storytelling, poetry, community discussion & good news, trivia, vendors, and our Karamu – community feast. Free, but donations are greatly appreciated! RSVP your attendance and for vendor information, call Nathanette at (919) 876-7187 or email fruitoflaborwcc@netscape.com.

UPCOMING EVENTS BEGINNING IN JANUARY 2024


Rescheduled Quilting Classes at the FOLWCC will be held on Saturdays beginning in January 2024. The first class will be from 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM; all other classes will be 10:00 AM-1:00 PM; January 13 and 27; February 3 and 17; and March 2, 2024. Classes will be taught by an experienced quilter, Cynthia Hayes.

Contact her at chayes10@gmail.com to register for class cost and supply list/questions. Space is limited to the first 10 registrants.


Prevent Diabetes Class Series; presented by Eatwell Exchange at FOLWCC; 6:00-8:00 PM; this series includes both informational and cooking instruction; 1/18, 2/1, 2/15, 2/29, 3/14, 3/28, 4/25, 5/23, 7/11 and 8/8; cooking instruction – 1/25, 2/8, 2/22, 3/7, 3/21, 4/11, 5/9, and 6/6, taught by registered dietician, Jasmine Westbrooks. Email Jasmine@eatwellexchange.org for more information and to register. Class size is limited.


Reserve the Fruit of Labor World Cultural Center for your Special Event!



The Fruit of Labor World Cultural Center is the perfect beautiful venue for your special event. Contact us today for information about our very reasonable rates and availability. Call (919) 876-7187, (919) 231-2660 or email fruitoflaborwcc@netscape.com.

AVAILABLE NOW!

Music and songs that inspire, engage, and liberate our spirit!


Enjoy Fruit of Labor Singing Ensemble’s Album: State of Emergency


The album is available on

Amazon, Apple Music, iTunes, Spotify, YouTube Music, iHeart Radio 

and many more streaming services and retailers. 

Kwanzaa Song "Matunda Ya Kwanzaa" music composed by

Kevin Davis and BanCaribe

Kwanzaa Slide by Culture Queen & Fyütch | Kwanzaa Dance Song for Kids & Families

Happy Holidays!


The FRUIT OF LABOR WORLD CULTURAL CENTER family would like to express gratitude and thanks for the support you gave to our many events and social justice movement-building work throughout 2023. Our successes would not have been possible without you. We look forward to 2024 knowing we can count!

In the spirit of Kwanzaa, let us take time to appreciate life, our fruitful work and celebrate one another.